Macklemore recently shared that tickets for his upcoming tour, aimed at supporting Palestinian causes, were quickly snapped up, with all three shows selling out almost immediately. The tour, named the Free Palestine tour, was announced by the Grammy-winning artist just a week ago, featuring October dates in Dublin, Paris, and London.
Although the lineup for the tour has not been disclosed yet, Macklemore mentioned that the shows will include him and other artists, with further details to be revealed soon. The European tour was announced following his removal as the opening act for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour.
Expressing his gratitude on Instagram, Macklemore thanked the fans in Dublin, Paris, and London for their overwhelming support. The shows, organized in collaboration with Live Nation, aim to raise funds for various Palestinian aid organizations such as Gaza Soup Kitchen, Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, and UNRWA USA.
The decision to part ways with Sheeran’s tour was made after several venue owners in the U.S. threatened to cancel Sheeran’s concerts if Macklemore remained as the opening act, according to a statement from Messina Touring Group to Rolling Stone magazine. Notably, Robert Kraft, chairman of The Kraft Group, was among those reportedly involved in the decision.
Macklemore, known for his pro-Palestinian stance, has been vocal about his views on the matter for years. Following the controversy, Sheeran addressed the situation during a performance in Philadelphia, where he expressed his reluctance to be seen as an activist musician.
Subsequently, all other openers, including Sheeran’s backing band, withdrew from the tour. The shows scheduled at Gillette Stadium were ultimately canceled due to adverse weather conditions.